Friday, August 2, 2013

Well, that was quick.As mentioned in the last post, my Jerome Gambit game against vz721 in theChess.comItalian Game Thematic Tournament (see "Started"), was staggering towards and unhappy ending, and has now ended with a "knockout" - a 29-move loss.I have a little time, while defending an Evans Gambit against MarkHundleby1 (with the same moves as in my other game, with Black, against vz721), to repair my favorite opening.Do I suspect that MarkHundleby1 will allow me to play 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+? It's a good bet. He is obviously aware of the play of the games around him in the tournament. Why wouldn't he want to wander down easy street and follow vz721's lead?

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Play has been pretty fast and furious for me in the Chess.com Italian Game Thematic Tournament (see "Started").I have drawn both my games against top-rated JoseSoza, the two completed games so far.However, vz721, one sharp player (second-rated in our quad), improved on some of Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's original analysis (!) and has been treating my one Jerome Gambit rather harshly. I am currently hanging in there, but the phrase "punch drunk" comes to mind...With Black against MarkHundleby1, I am defending well against his Evans Gambit. When that is complete, I will have my last chance at a Jerome Gambit - and therein lies an interesting tale for a later date.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Bill Wall passes along another Jerome Gambit endgame. I merely touched upon this battle 3 years ago in "A Working Class, Impatient Move" - it is time to give it a closer look.

Wall,B - FirewineChess.com, 20101.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+

4...Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5 6.Qh5+ Kf8

7.Qxe5 Bd6As I wrote in "The Gentleman or the Tireder?" two and a half years ago, "This move is better than it looks at first glance, and forces White's Queen to abandon the center or abandon the board."8.Qa5

It is not clear that opposing White's Bishop in this way is helpful, for as long as Black's King and Queen are on the same file, initiating and exchange is out of the question.

14.e5 Qg6 15.Ne4 d6 16.Nxd6

Bill now prefers 16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Bxb6.

16...Bh3

Threatening 17...Qxg2 mate, but this is readily met.

17.Qe4 Qxe4 18.dxe4 Be6 19.Bxc5 bxc5

Here we have an interesting Jerome Gambit endgame. White, still with all his original pawns, has compensation for his sacrificed piece. In fact, with his Rook on the same file as Black's King, he has a bit of initiative.20.f4 Nc821.f5 Bd7

Bill points out that the Bishop belongs on the other diagonal, as in 21...Bf7 22.e6? Nxd6 23.exf7 Nxe4 24.Rae1 Nf6 25.Re5 Kxf7 26.Rxc5 Rac8 when Black is looking a bit better (at least White's pawns are not a dynamic threat).

22.Nb7 Ke7

Giving up a pawn. It might not have seemed as important as activating his pieces.23.Nxc5

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About Me

I've been researching Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's gambit since 2001. I am always interested in receiving games and analysis: as old as 1874, when the opening first was published, or as recent as today -- casual or serious, blitz or classical time settings, human or computer (or both).
Readers can reach me at richardfkennedy@hotmail.com.perrypawnpusher is the name I play under at different chess sites.
My book reviews and fiction were at Chessville.com - while it lived. I have written for Chess Life, School Mates, and Chess Life for Kids.
Dedicated researchers may connect my name to that of Riley Sheffield - we co-wrote The Marshall Gambit in the French and Sicilian Defenses , published by Dale Brandreth's Caissa in 1988.